Newly-minted Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah has only warmed his seat a mere six days, yet, he has been challenged to prove his prowess in regaining sponsors for the state’s football team.

As the new Kedah Football Association (KFA) president, Hijau Kuning supporters’ club president Nor Hasmadi Hamzah said, it was only natural for Bashah to save the association from the current predicament it currently faces.

After the political crisis – which saw former menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir resigning from his post – at least two companies have withdrawn their sponsorships for the state team, Hasmadi said today.

“Die hard supporters of the football team are mostly worried about the situation. Everyday there is talk going on that sponsors have withdrawn their sponsorships,” he told Malaysiakini .

As president of the supporters’ club, Hasmadi said, he was only forwarding the concerns of members who want Bashah to be the saviour in the matter by looking for new sponsors or convincing existing ones to stay on.

The Kedah football team is on the right track to regain its glory, he said, adding that apart from experienced players, the team definitely needs the ringgit and sen as well.

Following Mukhriz’s resignation as KFA president, local cosmetic giant, D’Herbs Holdings Sdn Bhd, withdrew its plans to sponsor the team.

Apart from D’Herbs, a transport company, which had earlier planned to sponsor the Kedah football team, also reportedly withdrew its plans to do so.

Hasmadi said although one of the company’s buses was modified to be used by the Kedah football team, it was later utilised as a normal express bus, following the company's decision to withdraw its sponsorship.

Another company which had planned to sponsor renovation costs of the Darul Aman Stadium might also cancel its plans to do so, he claimed Hasmadi.

Yesterday, Bashah was reported to have visited the ‘Red Eagles’ during the team’s practice session to face the 2016 football season.